Colombian Court Halts Ouster of Bogota's Mayor

Court to Determine Constitutionality of Inspector General's Order

By

Darcy Crowe

Jan. 14, 2014 8:04 p.m. ET

BOGOTA—A state court on Tuesday temporarily froze an order by the Inspector General's office ousting embattled Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro and banning him from elected office over a bungled overhaul of the city's trash collection system.

The political fortunes of Mr. Petro appeared to be revived for now, after the court said it was halting the order by Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez until it determines whether the mayor's ouster was constitutional. Mr. Petro said in a speech that the court's decision represented...